Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Kalamazoo, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Kalamazoo, MI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (rentals for periods under 30 days) are treated as rental housing/commercial enterprises and are only permitted in certain zoning districts; all short-term rentals must register and obtain a Certificate of Compliance under the City’s Housing Code and are subject to periodic inspections. A responsible local agent must be designated (must reside/work within approved zip codes or be approved by appeal). Kalamazoo County’s 5% Accommodation Tax applies to short-term rentals and must be reported/remitted. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals (rentals for periods under 30 days) are treated as rental housing/commercial enterprises and are only permitted in certain zoning districts; all short-term rentals must register and obtain a Certificate of Compliance under the City’s Housing Code and are subject to periodic inspections. A responsible local agent must be designated (must reside/work within approved zip codes or be approved by appeal). Kalamazoo County’s 5% Accommodation Tax applies to short-term rentals and must be reported/remitted.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Kalamazoo. 1) Register the property using the City’s Rental Registration & Certification Program (online at www.kalamazoocity.org/rentalregistration or via the City’s rental registration forms). 2) Designate a responsible local agent and schedule the required inspection with the City (contact: 269-337-8026); obtain a Certificate of Compliance after passing inspection. 3) Pay applicable registration/inspection fees per the City fee schedule and renew per the certificate term (certificates issued for 28, 40, or 52 months depending on compliance).

1) Register the property using the City’s Rental Registration & Certification Program (online at www.kalamazoocity.org/rentalregistration or via the City’s rental registration forms). 2) Designate a responsible local agent and schedule the required inspection with the City (contact: 269-337-8026); obtain a Certificate of Compliance after passing inspection. 3) Pay applicable registration/inspection fees per the City fee schedule and renew per the certificate term (certificates issued for 28, 40, or 52 months depending on compliance).

Vrbo is permitted in Kalamazoo, MI under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Kalamazoo are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Kalamazoo. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.